Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from C May, Planning Policy Manager.

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The minutes of the meeting held on 14 July 2022 were agreed as a correct record, subject to the following amendments:

·         Councillor Blunt (Chair), Councillor Parish (Vice-Chair)

·         Page 7 – amend to read opening of railway station at South Lynn.

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Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the Members should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

These declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting.

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Councillor J Moriarty declared an interest as a Norfolk County Councillor for the area of North Runcton.

Councillor A Kemp declared an interest as the Norfolk County Councillor for West Winch.

To consider any business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chairman proposes to accept as urgent under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

There was no urgent business.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the

Chairman of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard

before a decision on that item is taken.

There were no Members present under Standing Order 34.

There was no Chair’s correspondence.

To consider the draft Cabinet report – 17 January 2023 - Adoption of West Winch Growth Area Framework Masterplan Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Please be advised Appendix 3 will follow.

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The Principal Planner (Policy) provided an update on the Local plan and reminded the Task Group that the Local Plan had been submitted to the Secretary of State at the end March 2022 and officers had been working on detailed responses to the questions from the Planning Inspector.  It was noted that three hearings would be held, one week commencing 5 December 2022 and two further ones in January 2023 at South Lynn Community Centre.  All the documentation was published on the Examination details on the Borough Council’s Local Plan examination website:  https://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/info/20079/planning_policy_and_local_plan/951/local_plan_review_2016-2036_examination

The Principal Planner (Policy) presented the draft Cabinet report which sought authorisation to adopt the West Winch Growth Area Framework Masterplan Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and outlined the recommendations set out in the report.

The key issues raised were outlined as set out in Section 3 of the report relating to:

·         Principle of Development.

·         Traffic and West Winch Access Road.

·         Flooding.

The Task Group’s attention was drawn to section 2 – consultation and section 4 – Amendments to the SPD in response to representations received.

In response to a question from Councillor Parish on the Cabinet Header – Environmental Considerations - No, the Planning Control Manager advised that it was a typo and drew Members’ attention to paragraph 8 which set out environmental considerations as overall proposal and explained that the header would be amended to read – Yes.

Councillor Moriarty commented that his expectation was that the information would be presented the same format as previously, for example, representation, next to it the Borough Council’s response and why and that it made it easier for Councillors and members of the public to follow and asked why the information had been presented in the current format which made it difficult to cross reference each item which had been changed. Councillor Moriarty added that he could not vote to approve the report to go to Cabinet in its current format.  In response, the Principal Planner (Policy) took the point that the information could have been presented in a more conventional format, with the Borough Council’s response to each representation shown systematically. 

Councillor Blunt if the document on consultation action existed as outlined by Councillor Moriarty.  In response the  Housing Strategy Manager advised that the Borough Council’s response to each of the representations received should be available in the previous format.  The Planning Control Manager explained that there was a summary of representations/responses set out at Appendix 1, page 19 onwards in the report, but that the information requested had not been included within the report.

In response to comments made by Councillor Hudson on the report not being complete and the document not easy to understand by a lay person, the Chair explained that he did not agree with all the statements made but commented that the was missing clear indication of the action they had caused in the report and was therefore inclined to ask  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To consider the frequency of Meetings 2023.

To be considered at the next meeting.

The next meeting of the Task Group will take place on Wednesday 16 November 2016 at 10 am in the Miles Room, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting would be held on 13 December 2022 at 2 pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, King’s Lynn.